Vince Cable said Thursday night he intends to step down as leader of the U.K.’s Liberal Democrats.
“I indicated last year that once the Brexit story had moved on, and we had fought this year’s crucial local elections in 9,000 seats across England, it would be time for me to make way for a new generation,” Cable said in a statement on the party’s website.
“So I wanted you, our members, to know that, assuming Parliament does not collapse into an early General Election, I will ask the party to begin a leadership contest in May.”
The announcement came after just hours after MPs in the House of Commons voted to request from the EU an extension of Article 50 and delay to Brexit.
Cable became leader of the Lib Dems in 2017 after a snap election and the resignation of his predecessor Tim Farron.
“It has been my great privilege to lead the Liberal Democrats at this crucial time. I inherited the leadership after two difficult and disappointing General Elections,” Cable said. “But I take pride in seeing the party recovering strongly, with last year’s local election results the best in 15 years, record membership and a central role in the People’s Vote campaign.”